Chapter 362 – The Winds of the Capital (Nineteen)
Connections, wealth, status, titles, territory…
To Feng Jue, these things were mere externalities that, when managed well, would naturally come.
A low starting point didn’t equate to destined failure.
If a loyal person was like a pig, even if they earned mountains of gold and silver, in the end, they’d be cleaned out.
On the contrary, if they had a god-tier teammate, even if they started with nothing, success would still be on the horizon.
Feng Jue understood this principle well; when selecting people, he focused not on their conditions but on their temperament and abilities.
Seeing Feng Jue intent on discussing matters seriously, Feng Jin restrained his inner negativity, adopting an impartial and objective attitude.
“How so?”
Feng Jue responded, “My little brother has tested Bo Gao a few times. Aside from some criticism regarding his background, he really has no other shortcomings. He has the heart to stabilize the nation and is compassionate toward the common folks. He’s not narrow-minded about backgrounds and lacks the stubbornness often found in others… I think he’s quite good.”
In a world already rotten to its core, only by breaking it down and reshuffling all powers could they usher in a true era of prosperity. Otherwise, it was just a change of surname.
Feng Jue had a solid grasp of this; Feng Jin understood his brother’s yearning but still scoffed, unceremoniously pouring cold water on his younger brother’s enthusiasm.
“Right now, Huang Song is flat broke. We can’t know his true character yet. What else does he have besides his silver tongue? Once he knows your preferences, what words won’t he say?” Feng Jin was irritated; even if Huang Song was indeed a good choice, it was too early to decide, and at the very least, he needed to observe and test him further. “You say Huang Song has various merits, but in my view, he’s nowhere near as reliable as Lan Ting.”
Feng Jue furrowed his brow.
While he often heard his brother mention Jiang Pengji, such praise was indeed rare.
“Brother thinks highly of him?” Feng Jue asked.
Though their views differed, he trusted his brother’s judgment.
If someone as picky as Feng Jin approved, there must be no issues.
Feng Jue didn’t know much about Liu Xi, but putting aside character, his external conditions were indeed far superior to Huang Song’s.
Coming from a scholarly family, his father Liu Zhi was the governor of Chongzhou, giving him a pre-existing base of power.
Even though Chongzhou was near the Northern Frontier Tribes, with treacherous terrain and strong enemies nearby, it still counted as a place to settle and lay foundations.
Not only that, Liu Xi had studied at Langya for three years, a prestigious institution known throughout the land. Regardless of Liu Xi’s academic performance, three years there had certainly provided him with a golden veneer… Not to mention he was miles ahead of Huang Song, who was practically illiterate.
Comparing the two, Huang Song had no chance against Liu Xi in terms of external conditions.
Feng Jin’s expression froze, and after a moment of realization, he shook his head slowly.
“Lan Ting doesn’t have such grand ambitions and it’s impossible for him to…”
Liu Xi was indeed excellent in every aspect, but the only downside was his gender—he was born a girl.
Feng Jin wasn’t one to adhere rigidly to societal prejudices, but the thought of placing a woman on the throne was simply incomprehensible.
Feng Jue felt his brother was lying, but he also understood Feng Jin’s stance.
“Time reveals a horse’s strength; long exposure shows a person’s heart. When it comes to putting everything on the line, one must be cautious,” Feng Jin’s expression softened considerably as he advised his younger brother, “I’m not trying to hinder you or hold biases against Huang Song. I just hope you tread carefully on such matters. The world isn’t fully chaotic yet. All calculations are still too early—why not observe from the sidelines and wait for the situation to change?”
In short, it was way too early to get involved now.
Feng Jue pressed his lips tightly, his hands clenched slightly on his knees, filled with inner turmoil.
“Besides all this, if you think Huang Song can be a trustworthy friend, treat him as an ordinary friend; don’t get too involved.”
Better to loosen the reins than to block them.
His younger brother was a stubborn, reckless kid; the more Feng Jin tried to thwart him, the more likely he was to go to extremes and jump onto Huang Song’s ship without looking back. Instead of that, it was wiser for both sides to take a step back.
Starting as equal friends would allow Feng Jue more time to assess Huang Song’s character and carefully consider his own future.
“Younger brother understands.”
Feng Jue sighed softly; he and Huang Song weren’t close enough to be inseparable, so his brother was naturally more important.
As the brothers talked, slow but heavy footsteps approached from outside.
After a moment, a gentle female voice chimed in.
“What are you and my husband discussing? You seem so lively?”
Years had passed, and Wei Jingxian, now a wife, had shed her youthful innocence. Her eyes were warm and gentle, radiating the charm of a mature woman.
Now quite round with child, her cheeks were fuller, showing a level of prosperity that came with the condition.
The challenges of pregnancy were there, but her good disposition and careful attention from the housemaids made her look even more refreshed than before.
Feng Jin glanced at her belly and winced slightly, quickly rising to assist her.
He felt a bit fearful; every time he saw her round belly, he felt his heart sink, and his nerves tightened.
“Second sister-in-law, you should please keep an eye on second brother,” Feng Jue offered a half salute and waited for Feng Jin and her to sit down before resuming his place, half-jokingly complaining, “Younger brother hasn’t seen second brother in a while; we should be catching up as brothers. Instead, he’s stuck on schoolwork, wanting to teach me how to ace the exams…”
Wei Jingxian covered her mouth with a napkin and laughed lightly, “My husband often wonders at how bright you are, little uncle; he doubts he can outdo you.”
“Ah, it’s second sister-in-law who speaks so sweetly; it’s music to my ears. Unlike second brother, who only knows how to lecture…”
Feng Jin shot him a sidelong glance, and the brothers exchanged several rounds of icy glares.
As they grew older, the relationship between Feng Jin and Feng Jue had become steadily more strained.
Wei Jingxian noticed this early on after marrying in, but her status prohibited her from saying much; she could only do her best to ease their tensions.
“I’ve prepared some light wine and appetizers. May I invite you and little uncle to partake?”
“With your condition, these trivial matters should be left to the servants; you shouldn’t need to do this yourself.”
Feng Jin advised earnestly, but whether Wei Jingxian would follow that advice wasn’t within his control.
After enjoying some tea and wine with a few exquisite dishes, the two shared a pleasant meal, momentarily putting their earlier conversation aside.
Feng Jue exchanged a glancing observation of his heavy-bellied sister-in-law, then looked at his slightly furrowed elder brother, feeling a pang of softness.
He’d follow his brother’s advice for now—sit back, observe, and see how things played out.
As night drew near, Feng Jue settled into the guest room while Feng Jin and his wife prepared for bed.
Before sleeping, Feng Jin suddenly recalled something.
“The Fourth Prince is marrying the Liu Clan’s illegitimate daughter; it’s only right and proper we send some small gift…”
Wei Jingxian, stroking her belly, momentarily didn’t grasp the meaning.
Feng Jin added, “The Liu Clan’s illegitimate daughter is Lan Ting’s younger sister.”
Although there was no real familial tie, Feng Jin considered Liu Xi a friend, and as a connection to Wu Ma Jun, a gift was indeed in order.
“Lan Ting?” Wei Jingxian hadn’t heard that name in a long time, her expression a bit dazed. “She’s come to the capital?”
